Eight-month-old Barney has been fighting every day just to make it to the next. He came to us from southern Illinois on January 4 as a perfectly healthy kitten. After being in a foster home for a month and a half, he was just about to be ready for adoption when his health took a rapid downward spiral.
On February 22, Barney was diagnosed with Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), a viral disease caused by a mutated version of feline coronavirus. This type of coronavirus is different from the one that causes COVID-19 in people. FIP is not contagious and its symptoms include lethargy, weight loss, difficulty breathing, and fluid accumulation in the chest or abdomen.
Just a few years ago, this virus was considered a death sentence. However, a new treatment involving 84 days of medication and observation has proven effective. We've seen our felines battle through their diagnosis and make it out the other side thanks to this new treatment.
Around the time of his diagnosis, we had purchased an infusion machine that allows us to give IV medications and fluids to the cat in our care. For the first time, we could give fluids without the need for a veterinary hospital admission. He desperately needed fluids because he was dehydrated. Being able to provide this level of care in-house saves us precious financial resources and will help save so many lives.
As of March 14, Barney is 21 days into his treatment and has 63 days to go. In these three weeks, he has improved drastically. Just a week ago, despite being on fluids, he was disoriented, wasn’t eating, and was rapidly declining. He was on death’s door. We doubled his supportive care and switched up his treatment regimen and he started to improve.
Thanks to the selfless support from Paw Print Club, we have been able to upgrade our medical supplies without compromising other shelter expenses. 2024 is set to be a year of significant improvements in our medical care. Within a few weeks, a relief veterinarian will begin work, enabling us to perform spay and neuter surgeries in-house.
We would never have been able to provide this level of care without our Paw Print Club members. FIP is an aggressive virus, but we won’t let it stop us from giving our cats a fighting chance, no matter the cost.
Become a Paw Print Club member today and help us continue to rescue felines in need Every time we rescue, treat, and rehome a cat, you’ll know that you've had a hand in their journey, making our membership program a truly life-affirming experience.
Barney loves to have his tongue out!